Knowing how to remove a Microsoft account from Windows 10 may be useful in a handful of situations. We’ll be approaching that throughout this article.
The Microsoft account as we know it was introduced in Windows 8 back in 2012. It was previously known as “Microsoft Passport”, “NET Passport” or “Windows Live ID”.
It allows users to use just log in with an e-mail address and password that gives access to all Microsoft services.
It is not mandatory to have a Microsoft account to use Microsoft Windows.
It comes with a variety of pros and cons that we’ll analyze throughout this article so you can get a clear idea of what is the best option for you.
Table of Contents
- How to remove a Microsoft account from Windows 10
- Should I be using a Microsoft account or a local account?
- Wrap Up
How to remove a Microsoft account from Windows 10
There are some ways you can remove a Microsoft account from Windows 10.
If you no longer want to use a Microsoft account with your operating system, you can either switch back to a new local account or remove it from Windows sign-in option.
Switch to local account from Microsoft account using the Settings app
- Sign in to Windows 10 with your unwanted Microsoft account;
- Open the Settings option by pressing “Windows key + I”;
- Click on the Accounts option;
- Click on “Your info” at the menu on the left pane;
- Click the “Sign in with a local account instead” option on the right side of the screen;
- Type in the current password of your Microsoft account when you’re asked for and then click “Next“;
- Chose a new user name for your local Windows account;
- Create a new password;
- In the required field, select a password hint that may help you remember your password in case you forget it and click “Next“;
- Then click “Sign out and Finish“. Windows will then sign out from the Microsoft account.
- Sign in back with the local user account credentials you just created by filling the fields and pressing Enter.
When complete, your Windows 10 account will be disconnected from your existing Microsoft account. When using this method, your Microsoft account credentials will still be available on your computer to sign you into various services as required automatically.
Delete Microsoft account login from Control Panel
This method will completely remove your Microsoft account and all of the associated information from your Windows 10 PC:
- Press the Windows key to open the Start Menu and then type “Control Panel” to launch it;
- Go to “User accounts” and then click “Remove user accounts“;
- Next, select the Microsoft account that you want to be removed;
- On the left side of the window, click “Delete the account“;
- Then, click on the “Delete Files” button;
- Windows 10 will prompt for confirmation on whether you are sure you want to delete the selected Microsoft account. Click on “Delete Account” to confirm your action.
Should I be using a Microsoft account or a local account?
When you add a new user account to Windows 10, you can opt by using a local account or an online Microsoft account. What are the main differences, pros, and cons between these two options?
Pros of using a Microsoft account
Synch
The most obvious advantage you get by using a Microsoft account is that you can synchronize your stuff between your computers. When you log in with a Microsoft account, Windows remembers your settings.
From desktop wallpapers and themes, login screen credentials, and language preferences, among others – all your computers using the same Microsoft account will be synced.
You’ll also be able to share your Windows Timeline with your other Windows 10 computers.
You can access your Timeline by clicking the film-strip icon located near the Start button.
This shows you a complete record of which programs you’ve used and if you’re using Microsoft Edge, it will also show you the websites you’ve visited over the past few days.
Cortana virtual assistant
If you are a fan of voice assistants, having access to Cortana can be a big deal. Another Windows 10 feature that you can only use to its fullest with a Microsoft account is Cortana as your personal digital voice assistant.
Cortana is strongly integrated with your Microsoft account, and it needs access to your calendar, contacts, email, and browsing history to respond to your demands.
So, in order to use this digital assistant at its fullest, you need to sign in to Windows 10 with your Microsoft account. If not, the assistant will only be able to perform basic web searches.
Your data on the cloud
Having a Microsoft account gives you access to OneDrive, Microsoft’s cloud storage provider which offers you access to 5GB of free storage space, and a lot more available through paid subscriptions.
This way you have your data available and organized on all your computers.
It not only makes it easier for you to save your data and access it but also makes sharing with others easier and faster. You can as well grant your friends or family access to use the required files.
With OneDrive you can access, save, share and synchronize all of your documents, videos, music, and photos on all of your Windows 10 devices.
Microsoft Store
Microsoft Store gives you access to a big array of apps, just like Google’s PlayStore and Apple’s App Store.
If you use Windows 10 Home as the majority of non-enterprise users, you are unable to download and install applications if you’re not using a Microsoft account.
Although if you’re using Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, or Education editions, you can download and install applications and games from the Windows Store, only the free ones.
Cons of using a Microsoft account
Data security
Whether syncing all your data can be a great advantage, Microsoft saves your account information and all your Microsoft account data on the internet.
And in the event of getting hacked, the hacker will get full access to all the Microsoft services that you’ve been using and follow your activity.
Having this in mind, a Local administrator account makes your data less vulnerable.
Privacy
If you, like many people, feel skeptical about protecting your information, sharing it with Microsoft by using a Microsoft account can be worrying.
It will collect loads of data like your device’s IP address, your login name, your personal information, operating system and browser details, and a lot more.
Internet connection needed
With a Local account, all your data is stored in your Windows 10 computer, although when using a Microsoft account, it will be stored on a Microsoft server instead.
If you don’t have an internet connection you’ll have a problem, as you cant access your data without the internet in your Microsoft account.
Logging in to your Windows 10 system when you’re offline will require an extra step to confirm that you want to use the latest saved settings.
Wrap Up
Not everyone wants to sign in with a Microsoft account. Having one means you’ll have easier access to all of Microsoft’s services, and Windows 10 also provides a few more perks when you’re using your Microsoft account.
It gives you the ability to sync a variety of things like personalization options, a variety of settings, and passwords.
If you’re interested in accessing all the features that Windows 10 has to offer, you’ll need a Microsoft account to take full advantage of them.
However, if you have privacy concerns, or if you own just one computer, and you’re not taking advantage of services like OneDrive, Cortana, or Microsoft apps Store, you can change the account type, as a Local account may be just what suits you the best.
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